Fast Fiction: Good Night, Mr Barton
During his speech on coastal art Barton sees a familiar figure in the audience. What will he do when she speaks to him? Richard Mallinson's enigmatic short story leaves you free to write your own ending.
During his speech on coastal art Barton saw her in the audience - an audience of 20 or so.
Afterwards she was among those who stayed behind for a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Barton listened to two shy women who said they had bought one of his paintings but it had been stolen.
If he were to approach her what would he say?
The picture had been in the hall of their house one day and the next day it had gone.
He had no words ready for her beyond ‘Hello, how are you?’
Would it be possible to buy another of your pictures, Mr Barton?
Yes, certainly, you must come to my studio and choose one.
Barton thought how little she had changed after all these years since leaving him for an American army major.
You have been so kind, Mr Barton, thank you, we will come to your studio next week.
He went across to her but before he could greet her she said, ‘I will tell you about the major if you promise not to gloat. One day he went out to do a little shopping in downtown Los Angeles and that was the end of him. Fell down a sewer, they said. A likely story. Anyway, I came back to England and settled in Worthing…’
She went on talking.
The two shy women came across.
Goodnight, dear Mr Barton, and thank you once again.
He thought how charming they were, in their quiet, uncluttered un-self-important way.
